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rodsullivan.org
SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
November 25, 2011
Sullivan’s Salvos 11/29/11 In this edition: *JECC Update *The Facts on TIFs *Welfare Queens? *Did You Know? *JECC Update The saga of the Joint Emergency Communications Center (JECC) rolls on. I brought up 8 points to the JECC Board at their public hearing on November 18. Those were: 1. Public hearings should not be at 7:30 AM. That is not being accessible to the public. 2. Public hearings should be at the beginning of scheduled meetings, not the end. The public should not be expected to wait an hour. 3. The proposed budget was sorely lacking in detail. 4. The JECC Board should have reviewed the proposed budget prior to its publication. 5. The proposed budget did not reflect the $275,000 the JECC is receiving from the E911 Board. 6. The JECC Board should commit to extremely low reserves. This is complicated, but directly related to the TIF situation in Johnson County. 7. The proposed increase in the budget was WAY too high! 8. As I have said since before the JECC was created, the form of governance is not good, and leads to problems such as the seven previous issues. I know the JECC Board has promised to “dramatically” lower the budget. We’ll see if their version of “dramatic” and mine are similar. And hopefully they will follow my advice regarding low reserves. So, that is your JECC update. The real question here is WHY must I give you another update? Why has the JECC taken so many hours of my time when I have never served on that board? Why has this endeavor been so screwed up for 3+ years? When the reserves were being discussed, it was suggested that the JECC Board should get something in writing, given the “history” between the JECC Board and the Supervisors. First, let’s be completely clear exactly what that “history” has been. It is a history of parochialism, profligate spending, poor planning, and terrible hiring. The JECC Board did all those things. Four Supervisors complained about it. That is your “history”. If you would characterize a crime victim and her assailant as having a “history”, then I suppose you see things this way. Frankly, I see the “history” as being pretty damned one sided. From the beginning, it has been 2 Iowa City Councilors, 2 Coralville Councilors, a North Liberty Councilor, and one Supervisor making decisions for the JECC. Sheriff Pulkrabek has been the lone voice of reason on every important vote. So, the JECC Board does not trust the Board of Supervisors due to “history”? Seems pretty ironic. That said, it cannot hurt to put some things in writing if it will save the taxpayers in the long run. *The Facts on TIF I have been talking about TIFs in Johnson County for over a decade now. Most folks choose to ignore me. Hopefully, some of those folks will pay attention to the new report from the Iowa Policy Project: Tax-Increment Financing: A Case Study of Johnson County. Abuse of tax-increment financing by cities in Iowa is a statewide problem. Johnson County offers an illustrative case study of why reforms are needed, and which reforms might help. The Iowa Fiscal Partnership is a joint policy analysis initiative of two nonpartisan, nonprofit, Iowa-based organizations: the Iowa Policy Project in Iowa City and the Child & Family Policy Center in Des Moines. All IFP reports are at www.iowafiscal.org. A highlight – or lowlight, depending on your perspective: taxpayers living in the Clear Creek Amana school district are paying an extra $2.83 per $1000 valuation to fund Coralville TIFs. That means a CCA family living in a $200,000 house pays an extra $566 per year. That is real money! The people who have abused TIF here in Johnson County are now on the defense. They are trotting out the same old arguments. Guess what? EVERY argument they make is refuted in the report. Please take a look at this report. This is not Rod Sullivan talking – these are experts in municipal finance. Their findings are important. What they report affects us all. *Welfare Queens? My colleague Sally Stutsman serves on the State of Iowa Human Services Council, a citizen’s advisory group designed to guide the Department of Human Services. In that capacity, she found some fascinating statistics regarding welfare in Iowa. (What is commonly referred to as “welfare” has also been called FIP and TANF; despite different sets of rules, we are talking essentially the same programs.) The Iowa statistics certainly do not describe “welfare queens”. First, there were only 17,000 individuals in the program, out of over 3 million Iowa residents. That amounts to only one half of one percent! The average Iowa welfare recipient in FY11 was a 20-29 year old Caucasian woman who received $338 per month in benefits. She remained on the program an average of 21 months. Welfare is not a great living. People don’t get rich from it, and they don’t want to be on it. It is a vital safety net, but it is not a bed of roses. Here is a test. If someone tells you welfare is so cushy, ask him to give his job to a recipient, and have him go on the program for awhile. You will not find any takers. *DID YOU KNOW? The Pilgrims arrived in Massachusetts in 1620. By the fall of 1621, only half of the original crew survived. Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website- www.johnson-county.com. "Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents. These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned. If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line. If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line. As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you! ---Rod
November 19, 2011
Sullivan’s Salvos 11/22/11
In this edition:
*Happy Thanksgiving!
*Congratulations Jawon!
*Civility, Or Shooting the Messenger?
*Homeless Children’s Trust
*Did You Know?
*Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have a safe and enjoyable holiday, and I hope you take a moment to reflect on our many blessings.
I know I harp on this quite a bit, but… do you have any idea how rich we all are? If your family of four earns over $47,500 per year, you are among the WEALTHIEST 1% on planet earth.
I am extremely blessed. If you are reading this, you are extremely blessed. I hope you will join me in sharing our blessings over the holiday season and beyond.
*Congratulations Jawon!
Iowa Kids Net recently held an event to acknowledge National Adoption Month. They chose a local young person to be the spokesperson, and I would like to tell you a bit about him. (He told this story publically, so I feel comfortable sharing it.)
Jawon Walker was born in Gary, Indiana. His father was in prison, and his mother had drug and alcohol problems. His mother moved him to Iowa City when he was 5.
Jawon ended up in foster care at age 9. Even though he was always smart and polite, Jawon was very down on himself. He did not trust any adults.
Fast forward to today. Jawon lives in rural Shueyville with his parents, Chad & Jennifer Streit. He is a Senior at Prairie High School and an honor student. He is the Student Body President and Homecoming King. Jawon is involved in choir, show choir, speech and drama, and the Cedar Rapids NAACP. He has an internship at Rockwell Collins, and will be attending the University of Iowa in the fall. When he starts college, Jawon will have over 20 hours of college credit earned at Kirkwood.
Even more incredible than his accomplishments is his bravery. At age 16, Jawon went to court. The Streits put no pressure on him; they told him to follow his heart. With his birth mother in the room, Jawon told the judge that he wanted to sever that tie and be adopted. I cannot imagine how difficult this had to be.
I am incredibly proud of Jawon Walker. Melissa and I are honored to have served as his foster parents, and we are glad he is still a part of our lives. We are very thankful to Chad and Jennifer, but mostly, we are thankful to Jawon.
Not every adoption story is quite so remarkable. But every one gives a child a permanent family. Every one is remarkable in its own way.
Yes, I am biased. I have three adopted children of my own. Yet 250,000 children nationwide still need families. We would love you to join us as adoptive parents. Even if you can’t, there are things you can do to help.
I hope you will each do something during the month of November to recognize National Adoption Month.
*Civility, Or Shooting the Messenger?
Civility is a popular buzzword right now, particularly when talking politics. Polls show that voters want civility. Frankly, I think those polls are #*^@$%!
Seriously – the focus on civility is a red herring. Civility is good, sure. But we need results. We are lacking in moral courage, not civility.
Want some examples? Point out that the rich are getting richer, and you are guilty of “class warfare”. Point out that Coralville TIFs hurt Johnson County, and you are not being “civil”. Point out that someone has cheated or broken the law? You are not being “civil”.
Civility is used as an excuse for the failure to discuss anything of substance. This is why any and all joint meetings between various elected bodies are exercises in futility – we do not want to address real issues. We want to hide behind a fake civility.
It reminds me of a dysfunctional family: Uncle Joe has a drinking problem, sure – but the person who brings it up is the focus of family scorn. We shoot the messenger, and forget what she was trying to say.
Yes, the world would definitely be a better place if folks discussed things civilly. But be careful! The “lack of civility” is a Trojan horse, used to kill any meaningful discussion. Don’t want to talk about a touchy subject? Easy –just complain about the “lack of civility” on the part of the person who brought it up.
What we need are people of character, not people who are civil. We need people committed to honesty, stewardship, kindness, generosity, and courage. We need more frank discussions, not less. We may lack civility, but it is our lack of political courage that is killing us.
*Homeless Children’s Trust
The Homeless Children’s Trust is once again making the holidays special!
On Saturday, December 3rd the most needy children in Johnson County will be entertained at the Iowa City Moose Club while their parents shop for Christmas gifts at K Mart. There will be great entertainment and lots of wonderful food furnished by Jim Mondanaro.
Put this event on your calendar and come join the party. The party starts at 9:00am and Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at noon. Gift bags are given to all the kids and the party ends shortly after 1 PM.
Any questions please call Mary Larew at 338-1212 (days) or 337-2264 (home).
*DID YOU KNOW? Winston Churchill, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt were all cousins through one connection or another. FDR and Eleanor were about five times removed.
Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com.
"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.
These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.
If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.
If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.
As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!
---Rod
November 11, 2011
Sullivan’s Salvos 11/15/11
In this edition:
*More JECC Problems
*City Council Elections
*Local Banks, Dodd-Frank, and the Occupy Movement
*Did You Know?
*More JECC Problems
I need your help! The Joint Emergency Communications Center (JECC) Board is proposing a 43% increase in their FY13 budget. Odds are that you, like me, find this number to be obscene in light of our current economic circumstances.
That is why I need your help. The JECC Board refuses to listen to me. I have been arguing with them since the planning for the facility. They just assume I am a crank, and they ignore me.
If you feel a 43% increase is too much, YOU need to say so! The JECC Board is holding a public hearing on their budget at 7:30 AM on Friday, November 18 at the JECC facility, behind Chatham Oaks just west of 218 on Melrose Avenue.
I recognize that this is a TERRIBLE time for a public hearing, but please attend if you can. If you cannot make it personally, please call and/or e-mail the members of the JECC Board. Those members are Mike Wright and Regenia Bailey from the IC Council; Tom Salm from North Liberty; John Lundell from Coralville; Pat Harney from the Board of Supervisors; and Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek. In addition, I got the following e-mail off their website: info@jecc-ema.org. Who knows where that goes…. But you could copy it on an e-mail.
I am so upset about this that I get sick. When JECC was in the planning stages, I tried hard to create a different arrangement. I lost that battle, but I was hopeful that this less-than-ideal governance could still work. Unfortunately, it has been a colossal failure. 911 calls are being properly routed, and that is the most important thing – but the cost is absurd.
Not only is the budget too high, they have screwed up in two additional important ways. First, the E911 Board (upon which I serve) already voted to put $300,000 into equipment expenses at the JECC. The Director was at that meeting. Yet he did not include any E911 money in the budget. That alone would reduce their 43% increase to around 25%.
Secondly, JECC Board members continue to argue that they need a huge reserve. They do not, and keeping a big reserve is very poor financial policy. Here is why:
If an emergency arises, Johnson County can bond for whatever the JECC would need. Plus, by bonding, we can access the TIF Districts. Otherwise, properties in the TIF Districts will not contribute toward the JECC. So bonding is actually a win-win. Building a reserve means you build it on the backs of all non-TIF property owners.
It sounds as though only the Director and JECC Board President were aware of what was contained in the budget. They should have both known better. But the rest of the JECC Board also screwed up. The JECC Board should have exercised better oversight. I hope the local media will get to the bottom of this. The same type of thing happened a couple years ago, and it was swept under the rug. The people deserve better.
We have too many needs to sustain this profligate spending. The JECC Board needs to get the message from the people of Johnson County. It is up to you.
Tell the JECC Board NO to the excessive increase, and NO to the costly reserve fund!
*City Council Elections
Congratulations to everyone who won a local city council race in Johnson County. Thanks, too, to all who stood for election.
I wish I could keep this whole post positive, but I cannot. Unfortunately, turnout was once again abysmal – about 15% in both Iowa City and Coralville, and a few percentage points either way in other cities. University Heights, deep in the controversy over One University Place, led all cities with a turnout of about 60%.
Frankly, I think a 60% turnout is embarrassingly low. I do not believe we should settle for anything below 80%. (I am a realist, and I know that there is a certain percentage of the population that is just too stubborn to participate. So I arbitrarily chose 80% as a threshold. But you get the idea.)
We simply must do better. I wish I knew how. What are your thoughts?
*Local Banks, Dodd-Frank, and the Occupy Movement
Before I argue the following points, which will undoubtedly earn me some ire, please allow me to submit my bona fides: I am firmly convinced that I am among the biggest advocates of buying local.
After years of pushing, I got the County to adopt a Buy Local policy. This has had a direct economic benefit to several local businesses, including LL Pelling, Iowa Book, Big Country Seeds, Tallgrass Business Solutions, and Computer Solutions, just to name a few.
I think if you ask Nancy Quellhorst, she would agree that I was instrumental in the Chamber’s Buy Here initiative. I actually wanted to go much further than most – my definition of a “local” business was one that deposited their money in a local financial institution. So I stand by my record as a buy local advocate.
Having offered those disclaimers, I am angry at some of our biggest and best local businesses - our local banks. This anger is due to two issues: Dodd-Frank and the Occupy Movement.
When our local bankers tell me that Dodd-Frank is a costly problem for them, I believe them. When they tell me that the feds took a “one size fits all” approach to regulation, I believe them. When they tell me they are concerned about their abilities to comply with the new regs, I believe them. In short, I trust my local banks.
My problem is that our local banks are simply calling for a repeal. I have not once heard a local bank official acknowledge that big banks were in large part to blame for our financial collapse, nor that big banks need more and better regulation. The local banks are silent on the bailouts, credit default swaps, and obscene salaries at the big banks. The local banks have called for an end to Dodd-Frank, but have not suggested any substitute regulation to help us avoid another meltdown and subsequent bailout.
I want to see our local banks try to be a part of the solution. History tells me that less regulation is no solution. I would like to see them join in the call for a better answer.
As for the occupy movement, it sounds as though local banks feel under attack. I have spent some time with the local occupy movement at College Green Park, and I have not heard or seen any sign of this. In fact, I saw the opposite.
I really respect the work of the Corridor Business Journal, but I was extremely disappointed in their recent editorial on the matter. The CBJ framed it quite simply – your choice is this or Cuba. I reject those limited choices, as do most of the “99%”.
Had the CBJ chosen to actually speak with some of the protesters, they would have found that great pains were taken to support local businesses, local banks in particular. The original plan was to occupy the Ped Mall, but that idea was scrapped when organizers feared that would have a negative impact on local businesses.
I cannot guarantee that NO protester had a “Screw Hills Bank” sign. But I can guarantee that if there was one, that person was a definite outlier.
More importantly, there has been a national movement among the “occupy” crowd and their sympathizers to move their money from the six big banks that ruined our economy to local banks. As of this week, over 750,000 Americans had taken this step. If each of these people had just $500 apiece in the bank, that is a $375 MILLION windfall for local banks! You would think that local banks would LOVE these folks!
Meanwhile, I continue to get e-mails and facebook posts from employees of local banks (often identifying themselves as such) criticizing and mocking the occupy movement.
I still love and support our local banks. I just wish our local banks paid the same respect to the protesters that the protesters have shown them.
*DID YOU KNOW? Antonia ('Tonie') Nathan, the 1972 Vice-Presidential candidate of the Libertarian Party, was the first woman in American history to receive an electoral vote.
Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com.
"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.
These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.
If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.
If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.
As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!
---Rod
November 5, 2011
Sullivan’s Salvos 11/8/11
In this edition:
*Happy Birthday, Rachel!
*Election Day
*Veteran’s Day
*Support the Troops – End the War!
*Agricultural vs. Commercial
*Congratulations Lori Brooks!
*Did You Know?
*Happy Birthday, Rachel!
Happy Birthday to my daughter Rachel, who turned 20 on November 6. Rachel is a 2010 graduate of City High, and is now in the US Army, currently stationed at Fort Lee, Virginia.
Happy Birthday, Honey! I love you!
*Election Day
Today is Election Day. Vote!
*Veteran’s Day
Happy Veteran’s Day on November 11. My thanks to all the men and women who have served our country. I appreciate your service, and wish you peace.
If you are looking for a way to mark Veteran’s Day, the Veterans For Peace Chapter #161 is sponsoring an Armistice Day Observance to be held on Friday, November 11th at the Clinton St. entrance to Old Capitol. The observance will begin @ 10:30AM, and bells will be rung @ 11:00 AM, as they were rung around the world at the end of WWI in 1918 and on each November 11th for decades thereafter.
Armistice Day is a day to promote peace and to remember the victims of war, both veterans and civilians. The entire community is welcome. Co-sponsored by Iowa NEA Peace & Justice Caucus, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and PEACE Iowa. Celebrate and recapture peace on 11/11/11/11!
*Support the Troops - End the War!
I have had this sign up since 2002. Nine years. It looks as though the reason I put it up – the Iraq War – is almost over.
Unfortunately, I cannot see taking the sign down yet. I see no clear vision for an end to the war in Afghanistan. Bin Laden is dead. Al-Qaeda is but a couple thousand people, spread across the globe. Neither Afghanistan nor any other part of the world is safer because of our presence there. Being in Afghanistan simply costs too much in both money and lives.
The sign has been vandalized a couple times, and blown away once. Another just plain wore out. My friend Ed Flaherty is always kind enough to come up with a replacement. I hope this is the last such sign I’ll ever need.
*Agricultural Versus Commercial
The Board recently had a very interesting discussion that could have far-reaching implications. The changing nature of agriculture is leaving some of our zoning rules wanting.
Agriculture is changing. While corn, soybeans, and hogs still rule the rural landscape, we are seeing many different types of agriculture right here in Johnson County.
Look at orchards and wineries, for example. Growing fruit is most certainly agriculture. But what about the processing of that fruit? Can you process only what you grow, or can you process for other growers? What about tasting parties? What about receptions of 500 people? What about selling things you did not grow? Should their buildings be inspected? Should they be taxed at a commercial rate? How many trees make an orchard? How many vines add up to a vineyard? These are but a few of the many unanswered questions.
We also currently require that a landowner have over 40 contiguous acres in order to be considered a farm. This angers both Amish and small organic farmers, who many times do not need and cannot afford 40 acres. Problem is, if you lower that number, the developers are lurking! Careful, or we will have a county full of 10 acre lawns where farms used to be, which is undoubtedly the worst possible environmental outcome. We must preserve farmland, and changing the definition of a “farm” to a smaller acreage will have the opposite effect.
Perhaps the most radical change is that city folk are now going out to the farm to get their food. For thousands of years, human beings have been taking food from the farms to the urban centers. Now many urban folks are reversing that process.
Obviously, this change has impacts. More people now drive gravel roads. Farmers need to provide parking, and perhaps restrooms. Farmers want big signs, which are now prohibited. All these changes can create conflicts with both rural residents and “traditional” monoculture farming.
It is safe to say that Johnson County has a lot of work ahead in trying to balance the wants and needs of conventional versus “new” agriculture. Please let me know if you have any thoughts to share!
*Congratulations Lori Brooks!
Congratulations to Lori Brooks on her upcoming retirement. Lori began her career with Johnson County Ambulance on February 1, 1988. In her 23 years she has responded to over 6800 calls for service.
Lori began working for Johnson County Ambulance when emergency responders were virtually all male, and has been a real trailblazer. She will also be the first paramedic to officially retire from the service. Congrats, Lori!
*DID YOU KNOW? Croatia was the first country to recognize the United States in 1776.
Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com.
"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.
These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.
If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.
If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.
As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!
---Rod
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